BISMARCK, N.D., May 21, 2014—The association representing the engine of the American economy and one of its most powerful voting blocs today announced its new state director for North Dakota.
She is former state Rep. Rae Ann Kelsch from Mandan. As North Dakota state director for the National Federation of Independent Business, America’s Voice of Small Business, Kelsch will be the lead lobbyist for the small-business agenda in the North Dakota Legislature and direct NFIB’s political efforts.
“We’re very fortunate to have someone the caliber of Rae Ann Kelsch guide the small-business agenda in the Legislature,” said Daniel Markels, regional state public policy director for NFIB. “She brings a wealth of not only personal legislative experience, but also extensive knowledge as a highly successful governmental and public affairs advocate for a variety of private enterprises.”
Kelsch served in the North Dakota House of Representatives from 1990 to 2012 and was chairwoman of numerous committees. Her governmental and public affairs clients have included AT&T Mobility, Alltel Corporation and Western Wireless/Cellular One. She is a graduate of the University of North Dakota with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. She and her husband, Tom, make their home in Mandan and have three grown children.
“I’ve always respected the way NFIB has lobbied for its members when I was state legislator, and now I’m delighted to pick up the torch and carry the message that small businesses are not smaller versions of big businesses. They have different difficulties in remaining solvent. They also employ the majority of working American and generate far more jobs than big businesses do, making them the real engine of the national and North Dakota economies.” said Kelsch.
A media kit defining a small business, telling its distinction from a big business, its electoral influence and other information can be found here.
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For more than 70 years, the National Federation of Independent Business has been the Voice of Small Business, taking the message from Main Street to the halls of Congress and all 50 state legislatures. NFIB annually surveys its members on state and federal issues vital to their survival as America’s economic engine and biggest creator of jobs. NFIB’s educational mission is to remind policymakers that small businesses are not smaller versions of bigger businesses; they have very different challenges and priorities.
National Federation of Independent Business
1201 F St. Suite 200
Washington, D.C. 20004
202-554-9000
